2010 St Leger Day Doncaster - Images by Richard Benson

Here are some photographs to illustrate the changes that are occurring to the Doncaster Racecourse.

The 1969 grandstand has been demolished by a huge 120 tonne hydraulic 'nibbler', the largest in Europe.

The new racecourse grandstand has cost 32 million pounds, and will be ready in 2007 in time for the St Leger race. The project is a joint venture between Doncaster Metropolitan Borough and Arena Leisure. The five storey building is called the Urban-i Stand.  The accommodation includes private , function, hospitality and banqueting suites. There is also a conference Centre and Exhibition Centre.

There is a new panoramic and new stables weighing room and new stables. Over £1 million has been spent in redeveloping the turf course including a new watering system. 26 acres of turf has been replaced on the 2 mile long course. The racecourse gained its different certificates just hours before being opened to the public.

Here are some photographs to illustrate the changes that are occurring to the Doncaster Racecourse.

Doncaster Racecourse (also known as the Town Moor course) is one of the oldest and in terms of physical capacity, one of the largest Racecourses in the Country.

Horse racing first began in Doncaster in the 17th Century on what was then 'Cantley Common'. By 1776 the Race Course had become established and the first recorded meeting of the 'St Leger' stakes took place.

The St. Leger is the world's oldest Classic Horse Race and features in the Horse Racing calendar as the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season. This pride of place every September on the famous Town Moor course.

below - photos of the new Doncaster Grandstand, including 'The Urban-i Stand'.

Doncaster based property development company Urban-i is the sponsor of the prestigious new stand at Doncaster Race Course.

Urban-i is the residential arm of Lazarus Properties, one of South Yorkshire’s largest and most progressive property development companies. Darryl Barker, Director of Urban-i said: “As a Doncaster based company this is a fantastic opportunity for us.”

“Along with the new airport, the university, Frenchgate shopping centre and the new stadium, the development of the race course is another great example of Doncaster’s recent renaissance.”

“Our 5 year sponsorship of the new Urban-i stand demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the town and belief that the current boom will continue well into the future.”

Both Urban-i and Lazarus Properties have invested heavily in Doncaster in the past 10 years and are responsible for many of the town’s leading commercial and residential developments.

below - redevelopment of Doncaster Racecourse